It was always a good idea to assume you didn't have all of the facts. It was an even better one to listen to clear signals you didn't. The Seigakus know something. Even if none of them had said anything, the collective desperation to reach the finish line once Inui's absence became known was an unspoken warning of its own.

Coupled with statements like "This is a race you absolutely don't want to be last in" and "Rikkai's vice-captain certainly leaves no ambiguity of the consequences," an implied point of contrast to Seigaku's methods, and knowing from experience that Momo was a trickster on par with Niou himself, all of the signals point one direction. Who is he to doubt them? Marui hated working harder than he had to, but it sounds like it's worth some extra effort here to not be last.

So once they're near the finish, he blows his gum bubble to a pop and cheeks it for better breathing as he takes off in a sprint ahead of Jackal and Akaya, eclipsing Momo and Fuji in seconds.

"Well, since Akaya isn't scared, I'll take on ahead!" He brightly announces, well on his way to the pack of Kaidoh, Oishi, and Yagyuu. "Show 'em Rikkai's toughness!"

He hears Fuji laugh appreciatively behind him.